Physicists, Mathematicians, and
Engineers studying the Physics of the World's Oceans

In this rapidly developing field, major new research is dramatically
changing our understanding of the physics governing
flows in the ocean and the physics of the coupled atmosphere-ocean
and global climate system.
Learn of the many kinds of research
being performed by our students and research staff.

Research in physical oceanography
attacks some of the most challenging problems in classical physics
and fluid dynamics. It is at a stage of rapid
evolution (building upon vastly improved observing tools, increased
computing power, and new analytical understanding). Major cooperative
research efforts are dramatically changing our understanding of the
dynamics of the ocean and atmosphere-ocean coupling. The results
of these studies will contribute to solving a yet broader range of
oceanic, geological, chemical, biological, engineering, and
societal problems. The scope of our interests is global.

URI/GSO is at the forefront of investigation into:

the physics of rotating and stratified flow

the dynamics of strong current systems (western boundary
currents, meandering jets and fronts, equatorial current systems)